Erdogan, Putin discuss Syria over phone

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the ongoing civil war in Syria over the phone on Saturday, according to a Turkish presidential source.

The two leaders talked about bilateral ties apart from Syria, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Erdogan and Putin also discussed energy cooperation between Russia and Turkey, including Akkuyu nuclear power plant and TurkStream natural gas pipeline project, the source said.

The two leaders emphasized the importance of being in close contact and acting in coordination over the situation in Syria’s northwestern Idlib, the source said.

The leaders also talked about a new peace meeting in Astana at the end of October, the source said.

Earlier this week, Erdogan said the Turkish military concluded a military operation in Idlib.

Under the operation, in line with agreements reached at peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, Turkish troops were tasked with monitoring a cease-fire and establishing a series of observation posts along the line between the Syrian areas of Idlib and Afrin.

The Russian president also expressed his well wishes to all Turkish people and Erdogan on the occasion of the Republic Day of Turkey.